Canadian Thanksgiving Holiday Travel Reminder

Release Date:

October 3, 2012

Blaine, Wash. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection is reminding travelers planning trips across the border this weekend into the United States to make sure they have their proper documents and to anticipate heavy traffic during the celebration of Canada's Thanksgiving on October 8.

Thanksgiving is an annual one day holiday at the close of the harvest season and is celebrated on the second Monday in October throughout Canada. Border traffic volumes are expected to be greatly increased during this holiday weekend.

CBP strongly encourages travelers to plan your trip in advance and obtain a radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled travel document such as an Enhanced Driver's License/Enhanced Identification Card or Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST/EXPRES) to expedite their entry and make future border crossings more efficient. The new Ready Lane is open at Peace Arch for those travelers with RFID-enabled cards.

To avoid long delays border crossers may want to use the nearby and less heavily traveled port of entry at Sumas on State Highway 9 with a newly constructed NEXUS lane operating between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. seven days a week. The Lynden Port is also available from 8:00 a.m. until midnight on State Highway 539.

Do not attempt to bring unauthorized fruits, meats and dairy or poultry products into the United States from Canada without first checking whether they are permitted. Review the "Know Before You Go" tip sheet at www.cbp.gov for additional information concerning your trip into the United States.

CBP officials continually monitor border crossing times at area ports of entry and plan to fully staff all inspection lanes during peak periods to maintain the flow of traffic.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.